An HRP study of the central projections of primary trigeminal neurons which innervate tooth pulps in the cat

Trigeminal ganglia and brain stem of adult cats were studied following HRP injections into tooth pulps or after exposure of the cut end of the inferior alveolar nerve to HRP. Ipsilateral ganglion cells within a wide range of sizes were labeled in both experimental situations, whereas no labeled cells were observed in the contralateral ganglion in any animal. Labeled central branches of tooth pulp and inferior alveolar neurons were observed in all subdivisions of the ipsilateral trigeminal sensory complex. Terminal labeling in the tooth pulp experiments was confined to the dorsomedial parts of the main sensory nucleus and subnuclei oralis and interpolaris. Caudal to the obex terminal labeling was restricted to the medial halves of laminae I, IIa and V of the medullary dorsal horn. In the inferior alveolar nerve experiments dense terminal labeling was observed in the dorsal parts of the main sensory nucleus and subnuclei oralis and interpolaris. Caudal to the obex terminal labeling was located throughout laminae I to V in contrast to the tooth pulp experiments. Neither of the two experimental situations offers any evidence for a bilateral or contralateral brain stem projection of primary trigeminal neurons.